Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.

• All pupils to Lowton CE High Thursday

  Wed 16 Sep 2015

  Dear Parent / Carer,

  With results still not returned from the air analysis tests carried out in school, Lowton CE High School have very kindly agreed to let us have use of their facilities until our own building is available.

  We are asking that parents bring their children to Lowton CE High for 9.00am tomorrow (Thursday). Gilded Hollins staff and Lowton High prefects will meet you at the roundabout on the school car park and escort you to a meeting point on the playground adjoining the all weather pitch.

  We have been allocated an entire block of classrooms separate from the high school pupils, along with two playgrounds specifically for our use and a canteen solely for our pupils. Each of our classes will have a room of their own. However, it does seem likely that some interaction with high school pupils will be impossible to avoid during the day as we move around site.

  Tomorrow will be the first occasion that our Reception Class will have been brought together as a full cohort and they will be placed in a separate block with their own toilet facilities, etc. We are currently awaiting the arrival of a van to take our own Reception furniture across to Lowton CE High.

  Lowton CE High requests that you walk up to the high school tomorrow as they will not be able to accommodate a large number of cars arriving at the gates for health and safety reasons.

  We ask that you provide your child with a packed lunch for the day as canteen facilities in school will not be available at such short notice. Children should be wearing their school uniform and bring with them all the things they would need for a usual day at Gilded Hollins, including their water bottle.

  Please collect your children at 3.25pm as usual. We will escort children to the morning’s assembly point for you to collect them there.

  We anticipate that this contingency plan will for both Thursday and Friday this week.

  There will be no breakfast club facilities available tomorrow.

  Many thanks for your patience.

  D Nash

• Closure statement

  Tue 15 Sep 2015

  As you are aware, school has been closed for tests following the discovery of an unpleasant, unidentified odour in parts of the building.

  In the first instance, an emergency gas team was called on Thursday evening, but could find no evidence of a leak.

  Then, in discussion with staff at our Friday morning briefing, it came to light that colleagues had been suffering various symptoms that may have been related to the odour.

  As there were potential health and safety concerns for pupils and staff I immediately contacted the school’s property consultant (NPS) to ask them to assess and advise on the situation. A NPS representative arrived on Friday afternoon and he arranged for investigations and testing to take place that day.

  Tests carried out on Friday were inconclusive so a specialist consultant was arranged to attend on Monday to carry out more extensive analysis covering all areas where evidence of odours had been reported. Building and engineering companies were also contracted to inspect all areas, including roof voids.

  In discussion with Governors and the local authority, the decision was made to close school on Monday.

  It was originally expected that the results of the tests carried out by the specialist would be available the same day. However, during Monday it became clear that results would not be available until late on Tuesday afternoon at the earliest.

  A decision then had to be made about opening school on Tuesday. While we were still unable to pinpoint the source of the odour the decision was made to remain closed for another day. Parents were informed via the Call Parent system as soon as possible.

  By Tuesday lunchtime the laboratory then reported that the analysis was taking longer than originally planned. Although the company is giving our case priority, the amount of testing we requested and the time to process each means that results are now only due on Wednesday. That being the case, and given the logic we applied in closing on Tuesday, we have no option but to remain closed for a further day. Therefore, school will be closed on Wednesday.

  I hope the above goes some way to explain the dilemma presented to school over the last few days. We have endeavoured to work as quickly as possible to resolve a situation where there have been no simple solutions.

  I can assure you that every effort is being made to ensure the air quality is safe as soon as possible. Unless assured of this, the Governors and myself are not prepared to put at risk the health and wellbeing of your children and the school’s staff.

  Of course, we understand that closing school presents problems for many of our families, but our duty of care is to our children, and what is right for them will always take priority.

  Thank you.

  D Nash

• SCHOOL CLOSED ON WEDNESDAY. STATEMENT TO FOLLOW. THANK YOU

  Tue 15 Sep 2015

• SCHOOL REMAINS CLOSED TUESDAY 15TH SEPT

  Mon 14 Sep 2015

  Unfortunately, school will remain closed on Tuesday 15^th September. This is a precautionary measure while we await the results of air quality testing carried out today.

  We are working hard to trace the identity and source of an odour detected in parts of our building.

  The testing laboratory assures us that results of their investigations will be available by late tomorrow afternoon, at which point the situation can be reassessed.  

  Once again, many apologies for the inconvenience this situation has caused, but the health and wellbeing of the children and staff must take priority.

  Please look out for updates via the text service and the school website.

  Thank you for your patience.

   

• SCHOOL CLOSED MONDAY 14.9.15

  Fri 11 Sep 2015

  Dear Parents / Carers,

  School will be closed on Monday 14^th September as a precautionary measure while work is carried out to test the building’s air quality.

  This was not a planned exercise, but has been deemed necessary in light of the discovery of an unidentified odour in parts of the school.

  Initial tests have ruled out a gas leak, but until we can locate the origin of the odour and confirm its cause, we need to ensure the wellbeing of your children and school staff.

  This decision has not been made lightly, but has been taken in consultation with Governors, senior staff and the professionals who attended school on Friday afternoon.

  We are hoping to have a resolution to the odour issue by the end of Monday, when a decision will be made as to whether school will re-open on Tuesday.

  We will send a message via text as soon as we are able.

  The Year Six trip to Low Bank Ground will go ahead as planned. Please make your way to the hall door as arranged and we will meet you there.

  We understand that this situation will cause inconvenience and for that we apologise. However, the health and safety of your children and staff will always be paramount.

• Low Bank Ground

  Thu 10 Sep 2015
  Year Six are off to Low Bank Ground on Monday. Keep an eye on the Year Six class page (under the 'Children' button, above) to stay up to date with the class's adventures!

• Back to school 2/9/15 8.55am

  Thu 27 Aug 2015
  Wednesday 2nd September 8.55am. See you then!

• School's new garden

  Wed 22 Jul 2015
  Check out the 'School Events' then 'Gallery' buttons to keep in touch with the Reach for the Stars garden project.

• Art at the Turnpike

  Thu 09 Jul 2015
  A selection of artwork produced by our children is currently on display at Leigh's Turnpike Gallery. The work was chosen following our hugely successful Art Week, where we learned all about the history of our local community. Many thanks to Mrs Halton from Year Six for putting up the Gilded Hollins display.

  

• Sporting Gold

  Thu 09 Jul 2015

  Gilded Hollins has, for the second year running, been awarded a prestigious Sainsbury’s School Games Gold Award, putting us in the top ten per cent across the country for our sports provision. Only a handful of schools in the entire borough are rated at gold standard, which gives an indication of our achievement. Huge congratulations to Miss Whittaker, our P.E. Subject Leader. The gold award is well-deserved recognition of her tireless efforts throughout the year promoting sport in school: she regularly gives up her own time to organise and attend events with pupils. The good news was given to Miss Whittaker today after she met with regional moderators.